Where is "Pats" Quality Control?

[suncoast]

I have always been the type of person to do my own projects due to the fact that I can't seem to find people who care about the quality of their work as I do. Many years ago I needed a customized trailer to haul ladders, equipment and vinyl siding materials. The prices that shops wanted to build to my specs were outrageous! I bought a flat bed trailer, a welder and some steel and that was it. I got what I wanted for a great price, a welder and learned how to weld on my own. I never hired anything done after that if there was any possibility of me doing it. I have thanks to the Lord become a successful businessman and have a remodeling company that has the contract for a major grocery chain and a Palm tree nursery / farm here in Florida. Like many of you, I had become very irritated with installing implements on my tractor. I looked at many "Quick Hitch" makes and decided to buy "Pats System". I purchased it from Agri-Supply (item#70078 $159.95). My time has become so valuable that this price is maybe 2 hours of my billing time. I coudn't build it that fast. I ordered it on 7-25 and it arrived 7-30 just as promised. (I thought this is a good thing). Then I opened the box and hadn't been so disappointed in many years. This product looks like it was built by first time blind laborers! Look at these pictures and you let me know what you think. The paint looks like it is from a spray can. There are several spots that there is NO PAINT, and do they know what primer is. Yes primer does make a major difference on steel. Weld spatter everywhere. The pin hole on one unit were so out of line the pin would not go through my arm. Yes I tried both sides, One fit both sides, the other fit neither.(Out with the Dremel) This is an extremely poor quality built product. I removed the spatter and runs and refinished it correctly after I had to straighten the arm hole alignment. What about grade 5 or 8 bolts. With the vibration and torque on these units I was not about to put that stress on the cheap grade bolts that came with Pats product.

 

[greg_g]

I won't speak for the fit and finish, after all - it's not going on a show car. They lift implements out in the mud and the blood and the beer. At least mine do.

But it does appear that Agri-Supply screwed up and sent you a mixed set. Two of those photos suggest that you received one PEC for a Cat 1 lift arm, and one PEC for a Cat 2 lift arm. What size were the lynch pin washers?

//greg//

 

[suncoast]

So its ok to sell shoddy workmanship as new and as a quality product. I don't care what the purpose is of the product is for. This should have NEVER been shipped to any customer. The pin holes are the correct size. They were drilled out of line. No paint coverage inside, let alone primer. (THINK THIS MIGHT RUST QUICKLY) I did not become successful by putting products like this in my customers sights and expect payment as if this was quality workmanship. Enough excuses!!!

 

[BlacknTan]

I bought a Land Pride Quick Hitch..

Made in the USA. All my implements fit it. Back up, lift and go. At most I have to hook up a driveshaft. Same for unhooking... Don't even have to leave the seat. It's built very well, unlike the Asian imports I've seen..

I've been a Tool & Die Maker since 1967, and the Pat's system never appealed to me because of all the setscrews, locknuts, U-bolts, pins and whatnot just to make it usable. Add to the fact that an adjustable rod is necessary to spread the lift arms and hold them for different implements, and one has to get off to hook up a toplink anyway, and it just doesn't seem like a huge savings in time or work to me.

I think that the Delta Hook system is the best out there, although it's heavy and pricey...

My LP quick hitch has been flawless, and for me at least, it is the solution.

Please don't take this as an indictment of Pat or his system. I've read lot's of good things about him and his product, and he appears to try to make everyone happy.

But, from an old timer who has spent a lifetime in machine shops, big and small, clean and filthy, high tech and low tech, Pat's system was just not for me.

 

[weldingisfun]

Suncoast, I sure do hope you brought all of your concerns to "Pats" attention. If their QC is lacking, they need to know it and I am certain they will do everything in their power to make it right with you.
I had dealings with them and had a problem that they fixed right away. It ended up that I returned the product and they took it back with no complaint but rather with an apology and refunded my money.
Let them do right by you.

 

[wedge40]

I've got a speeco and love it.. Not any problems so far.
But like other have said, did you contacted the manufacture before posting here? I know it's frustrating to get shoddy workmanship but to me the true test of a company is weather they stand behind their product. We'll all be waiting to hear what happens after you contact the company.

Wedge

 

[bigdad]

I had real good luck with mine and considering the first season I got it, I plowed salty snow with it, the paint held up poorly but that's to be expected with any attachment. I have come to the conclusion that you might as well paint, grease or coat your stuff as soon as you get it. Hey....it's work stuff.

Sounds to me like your beef is with Agri-Supply first. I'll tell you, once Pat sees this post, you will hear from him. One thing I have noticed, he doesn't want anyone unhappy with his product and will bend over backwards to make it right.

BD

 

[Bedlam]

Personally, the spatter wouldn't bother me. I would just paint the whole thing, as eventually you would after its used awile. all implements etc need to be maintained with being touched up.
I would contact Agri Supply and see if they would take it back. I know that the manufacturer would take it back if you weren't satisfied.
As for the fit, this is the first post that ive seen where it wasnt right so I suspect there was a problem there, just as another poster said.
I am sure that 'Pats' will respond directly to you here, as he with other buyers.

Agri Supply says this;When you have a problem with a product from Agri Supply, we will either fix it for you, replace it for you, or refund your money back to you... no questions asked!

from their site here;Agri Supply® Guarantee - Agri Supply

Not sure how they would address the shipping.
Hope you get it worked out.
Al

 

[bigdad]

BTW I have had good experience with Agri-Supply. Never had to use their return policy. Good stuff.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Doesnt look like a Pats to me. Only very vaguely similar to mine. I think you got a Chinese copy.
larry

 

[bigdad]

My hooks are cast. Those look like they are welded.

 

[emmy71]

That looks nothing like the Pat's hitch I bought. I think you got a cheap copy. The workmanship is not Pat's and I have never seen a price that cheap. Rest assured that Pat's will take care of their customer, but I think your beef will be with Agri-Supply. Look at the pictures of Pat's hitch on this site and notice the difference. Demand your money back and spend $20.00 more and get the real thing.

Terry

 

[Bedlam]

I agree here is the Ag link they call it pats
PAT'S QUICK HITCH CAT 1 / STABILIZER BAR INCLUDED - Agri Supply
It is the lowest price I've seen.Maybe they make it up in shipping.

 

[Mike120]

I've had 2 sets of Pat's (the real version) and have never had a question about the quality control. They are very well built. Buy them directly from Pat if you want quality, otherwise you are just getting a cheap knockoff.

I've never seen the Cat 1 version, but what you have has a lot more welds than mine...they look like they were scrapped together.

 

[patrick_g]

I have a "Pat's" directly from Pat. It works pretty good on most of my implements most of the time. I have never considered taking it off.

I had an issue about my hydraulic top link not being long enough after the "Pat's" lengthened the bottom arms. Pat mailed me at no cost an extension for the top link. Problem solved at no cost to me for accessory or shipping.

Not all my implements are the same width. Not all Cat 1 implements rigidly adhere to the "standard." Some implements come with reversible dual use pins so the implement can be set up for Cat 1 or Cat 2. So, if you have a system that is fixed width like the ones that are VERY SIMILAR and sold by Harbor Freight, Speeco, Land Pride and so forth, althoiugh it might work really neat, keen, and fine on some implements, it will NOT WORK WELL with any implement with a different spacing between the lower arm mounting pins.

Pat's system has an adjustable rod accessory to hold the required spacing between your lower arms. I got one. I don't use it because I don't have a problem hitching up that would be helped by it. It can help in some instances but I don't find hitching with or without it to be significantly different the vast majority of the time. Your mileage may vary.

I like Pat's system because I have a fairly large collection of implements, some of which vary in mounting pin width. If I used a system with fixed width I'd be in a fix. If I used a system that requires an adapter for every implement I would be looking a a large investment in capitol, much of it for infrequently used implements which would otherwise be orphaned and couldn't be used.

I will be quite interested in finding out what the resolution of your situation is after 1. you talk to your supplier and 2. after you talk to Pat himself.

Pat (A different Pat. We have the same last initial BUT I'm not him, just his customer...)

 

[Flatheadyoungin]

never thought about them being knock-offs but on the hooks, mine have a nice rounded edges......your's look to be just straight cut with a 90 degree edge and "sharp".........

boy, if they made them look that close, that would be a crock of crap to build your rep and give great customer service only to have the chicom and their distributors help pat take the blame for their crap......

other than alignment, the spatter and paint wouldn't bother me......and i'm pretty picky....

 

[SPYDERLK]

Pat's Quick Hitch vs Pats Easy Change System.... Anybody could tell they are not the same product just by the name.
larry

 

[thatguy]

Pat (the inventor and mfg) is a member on this board.. IF you got a knock off set, im sure he would be quite interested in knowing about it..

Brian

 

[texasjohn]

SUNCOAST, as a new TBN member, welcome. It's wonderful you are so handy with metal... I'm sure we'll soon be hearing about your successful innovative projects and seeing photos of them

Maybe a photo of your "4' front detachable swivel tongue extension Land Leveler?"

As many have posted below, we are waiting on your report of how you were treated by either Agri-Supply (first) then Pat himself if necessary.

Many TBN members own Pats System and are very pleased with it. Myself included. Those few who may have had issues have been dealt with very fairly.

He is a TBN sponsor. So give folks an opportunity to make good on their warranties, written and unwritten.

I agree with others... weld spatter is insignificant... and it doesn't look like the version of PATS Cat II I received. Something doesn't seem right regarding what you recieved, it doesn't mirror any prior PATS report on TBN.

 

[suncoast]

I have not contacted Agri-Supply regarding this matter yet. I just opened the package yesterday early evening to find this mess awaiting me. Agri-Supply catalog customer service is closed today. If this is not Pats product and he has his product name trademarked this would be a litigious situation. My issues are with the product and since it is advertised as "Pats" that of course is why I am using this inference. I will absolutely find out tommorrow who the manufacturer is (It is advertised PATS on the box) and in any case I will return this. I'm sure I'll get hung for the return shipping but I will get to whatever level of management it takes to rectify this issue. If I were Pat and this was not my product, I would definitely not rest until Agri-Supply made it clear in their advertising of the actual manufacturer and there is no relationship with "Pats Quick Hitch". As for anybody knowing the difference in the items with one called "Pats Quick Hitch" and another "Pats Easy Change System",(It is only called by this name in their catalog)(ON the internet item #70078 is "PATS QUICK HITCH" businesses do this all of the time trying to entice a customer thinking a manufacturer has made a "custom" version just for them. So if you do not have an Agri-Supply catalog, you are buying "PATS QUICK HITCH" from the internet. I agree the "Pats" here does have differences and I'm sure they are of a positive nature. Once again, all I had to go on last night and this morning was it was "Pats". I was expecting something of a high quality with the majority of people here very happy. I just figured once again this is my luck and I got the reject that was supposed to be thrown away.